About:

Chen-Yu Huang joined the Michigan State University College of Music as Assistant Professor of Harp in 2014. She is currently the Principal Harpist of Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and Jackson Symphony Orchestra, and the harpist of Formosa Trio and Accorda Trio. She is the winner of the Krannert Debut Artist Award, 2010, and a recipient of the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship, 2010-2011. For both prizes, she is the first harpist ever to be awarded. Other honors include the winner of the State of Illinois Senior Division in the 2007 American String Teacher Association National Solo Competition, finalist for the 2006 National Anne Adams Award Auditions, and winner of the 2008 String Division Concerto Competition. Currently, Chen-Yu is the president of the West Michigan Chapter and one of the Directors-at-Large of the American Harp Society, Inc.

A native of Taiwan, Chen-Yu obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in piano performance at National Taiwan Normal University. She pursued her graduate degrees in harp performance at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she held a teaching assistantship and obtained a Master of Music, Artist Diploma, and Doctor of Musical Arts in harp performance under the instruction of Dr. Ann Yeung. Before coming to the U.S., she studied harp with Shannon Chieh, Chi-Mei Hung, and Bi-Ya Lin in Taiwan. 

As an enthusiastic teacher, Chen-Yu is most passionate about inspiring students to realize their highest potential and forge their own paths. She teaches at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and founded the Community Music School Harp Ensemble. She also hosts Harp Day at Michigan State University annually. 

Chen-Yu is dedicated to expanding the harp repertoire. She has arranged and transcribed music for harp and premiered modern works. Recent activities include releasing her first chamber album, First Impression (also available on Spotify and Amazon), world-premiering two works at the 13th World Harp Congress, and arranging Three Taiwanese Folksongs for flute, violin, and harp.